Tucson expands same-sex couples law

The Arizona Daily Star reports that councilors voted 6-0 this week to allow sex-same couples to file contracts regarding inheritance rights, power of attorney, living wills and the ability to resolve disputes if couples breaks up.

The change adds more teeth to the city’s domestic-partner ordinance passed in 2003.

Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild says the enhanced ordinance will give same-sex couples some of the same rights that married, heterosexual couples enjoy.

City Attorney Mike Rankin says as long as the city doesn’t offer rights reserved for married couples, the measure should not violate state law.